David Werner named Executive Chef at Shackamaxon Country Club

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. -- With a commitment to providing a distinctive and creative culinary experience for its members and guests Shackamaxon Country Club, the nearly century old private facility that boasts an A.W. Tillinghast designed golf course, announces the hiring of David Werner as executive chef. Chef Werner's penchant for working with organic, local and sustainable ingredients will be the cornerstone of Shackamaxon's enhanced dining menus that will include the classics as well as unique gourmet selections.

As executive chef, Werner will develop seasonal menus for the enjoyment of Shackamaxon's members and guests and will work with clubhouse manager David Ruas to provide a superior member experience.

Chef Werner's background in both the study of environmental science at Dartmouth and of the arts at the Art Institute of Denver, are reflected in his creative, "farm to table" approach to conceiving restaurant and catering menus. Chef Werner began his culinary training in Denver and then moved on to sous chef positions at Aspen restaurant and Mio Sogno in Philadelphia. In 2005, Werner was named executive chef of the highly-rated Mompou Tapas Bar in Newark, N.J. His passion for what he calls 'cultural comfort food' was cultivated while serving as consulting executive chef at Market Restaurant in Montclair and was further developed when he introduced the "farm to table" dining concept, with bi-weekly menu changes, at Commissary Restaurant in Tappan, NY.

In addition to his restaurant experience, Chef Werner developed an enjoyment of creating innovative culinary experiences for large functions and weddings while working with the Glazier Group in Manhattan and the South City Group in New Jersey. Most recently he served as executive chef at Celebrate at Snug Harbor, a renowned wedding venue that is owned by Landmark Hospitality.

"David is a great fit for our growing membership at Shackamaxon," said club co-owner Warren Leeds. "His passion and commitment to sourcing the finest local ingredients will translate into fresh, seasonal menu offerings, and his proven leadership skills will bring the dining experience at Shackamaxon to the next level."

Shackamaxon Country Club offers four unique venues for dining and cocktails exclusively for members and guests: Tilly's Turn, offering casual, pub-style food; The Grill Room, featuring menus that change daily based on the quality of products available in the market that day; The Outdoor Terrace, where one can enjoy dinner and drinks in a picturesque setting overlooking the golf course; and the 1916 Bar, serving chef-inspired cocktails and its own "bar-bite" menu.

Catering events, including Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, social and corporate functions are OPEN to non-member guests, who will be dazzled by the culinary partnership between Chef Werner and Ome Caterers, New Jersey's No. 1 Private Caterer (NJ Biz). The elegant Grand Ballroom, that boasts new carpet and draperies, accommodates up to 300 guests with multiple configurations to suit the size and goal of any event.

Shackamaxon Country Club is owned and operated by an affiliate of RDC Golf Group, Inc.

About Shackamaxon Golf and Country Club
Shackamaxon was founded in 1916, and offers a spectacular A.W. Tillinghast 18-hole championship golf course. The nearly century-old, par 71 course boasts Tillinghast's first island green which, to this day, remains one of the favorites among Met-area golfers. The club has hosted a number of prestigious events including the 1922, 1937, 1972 and 2002 New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA) Open Championship, the 1924 and 1977 NJSGA Amateur Championship, the 1928 Met Open, the 1955 Cavalcade of Golf and the 2010 Women's Eastern Golf Association Amateur Championship. For information on membership, please visit the club's website www.shackcc.com or contact Director of Membership David Miniman at (908) 233-1300 ext. 1230.

About RDC Golf Group, Inc.
Founded in 1993, RDC has rapidly become a recognized industry leader in golf course ownership and management whose properties have garnered numerous golf course and hospitality awards. RDC and its affiliates own and/or operate the A.W. Tillinghast-designed Shackamaxon Country Club in Scotch Plains, N.J., the renowned Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township, N.J., and the private, family-oriented Tuscawilla Country Club in Orlando, Fla. The company currently provides management services for the award-winning Tallgrass Golf Course on Long Island, N.Y. For more information on RDC, visit www.rdcgolfgroup.com or call (732) 656-8900.

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